Ollie's Expands Midwest Footprint with Minnesota Store Opening
Event summary
- Ollie's opened its first store in Minnesota, marking entry into its 35th state.
- The Austin location is situated in a former ShopKo space next to Hy-Vee Grocery.
- Store creates 50-60 new local jobs, bringing Ollie's total workforce to over 14,000.
- Company now operates 645 stores across 34 states as of December 2025.
The big picture
Ollie's continued geographic expansion reflects the resilience of off-price retail in economic uncertainty. The Minnesota opening extends its Midwest footprint where traditional retailers like ShopKo have struggled, suggesting strategic targeting of locations with retail vacuum conditions. With over 645 stores and growing, Ollie's maintains aggressive growth trajectory while competitors consolidate.
What we're watching
- Midwest Expansion Pace
- How quickly Ollie's can establish a regional presence in Minnesota and surrounding states.
- Store Performance Metrics
- Whether the Austin location achieves comparable sales density to other Midwest stores.
- Labor Market Impact
- The company's ability to attract and retain talent in smaller markets like Austin, MN.
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